Restaurant Weeks Are Murder

A Poppy McAllister Mystery #3

by Libby Klein, Callie Beaulieu (Narrator)

Cape May, New Jersey, is the site of a big culinary competition--and the knives are out . . . Poppy McAllister is happy about opening a Jersey Shore B&B--but working in a professional kitchen has always been her real dream. Now it's coming true, at least briefly, as she teams up with her former fianc�, Tim--and his condescending partner, Gigi--during the high-profile Restaurant Week challenge. Poppy's specialty is pastries, despite her devotion to a Paleo diet. But if anyone can make glorious gluten-free goodies, it's Poppy. Things get heated quickly--especially when some ingredients get switched and Tim's accused of sabotage. Relatively harmless pranks soon escalate into real hazards, including an exploding deep fryer. And now one of the judges has died after taking a bite of Poppy's cannoli--making her the chef suspect . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary, Audiobook

Audiobook

First published February 26, 2019

About the author

Libby Klein graduated Lower Cape May Regional High School sometime in the '80s. Her classes revolved mostly around the culinary sciences and theater, with the occasional nap in Chemistry. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that forced her to remove gluten from her kitchen and adopt a Paleo Diet. Now her life revolves around coffee and bacon. When she’s not feeling sorry for herself that she can’t eat bread, she writes from her Northern Virginia office while trying to keep her cat Figaro off her keyboard. Most of her hobbies revolve around eating, and travel, and eating while travelling.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Restaurant Weeks Are Murder by Libby Klein is the third book in the cozy A Poppy McAllister Mystery series. Each book of this series has a new mystery to be solved by the main character so they can be read and understood as a standalone if choosing to do so. Of course as with any continuing series there is some character development that would be missed if not reading from the beginning.

Poppy McAllister is a forty something widow who moved back to her hometown of Cape May after the death of her husband. Poppy returned to be near her elderly Aunt Ginny and has made a living for herself when they converted Aunt Ginny’s home into a bed and breakfast.

Poppy has always had dreams of becoming a chef so when she gets an invite from an old boyfriend to help out during the Restaurant Week challenge she couldn’t help but accept. What Poppy didn’t expect signing up for the high pressure cooking competition was to find herself in the middle of yet another murder investigation.

Having read the first two books of the series and thinking to myself when finished with each that five stars was just not enough for them I had high hopes going into this book. While the series is still at the absolute top of my favorites I did come away with a complaint this time, I truly do wish the author would move away from the old love triangle trope as it’s getting old. A strong female lead doesn’t even need one romantic prospect to be entertaining in a cozy so let’s move on from the back and forth, please? Otherwise I absolutely loved coming back to Poppy and her Aunt Ginny and all the quirkiness that surrounds them.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my thoughts on this book and other cozy mysteries subscribe to my YouTube channel!
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im interviewing Libby Klein today (05-16-2021) @ 2pm es time live on my channel. Come join the fun and discussion!!

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read! I absolutely love the Poppy McAllister Mysteries! The stories feature slapstick dialogue and witty characterization as well as darn good Mysteries! In book 3, readers who love culinary cozies will be in heaven.

Protagonist, Poppy McAllister is a pastry chef who lives in Cape May, NJ, with her slightly spoiled cat, Figuro (who’s a hoot!), and her elderly Aunt Ginny (who Poppy attempts to keep out of trouble!). This fun cozy begins as Poppy agrees to be the pastry chef on her ex-fiance’s (Tim) team for a televised Restaurant Week Competition. Author Libby Klein’s trademark humor kept me laughing out loud throughout the entire story as the competition is plagued by saboteurs from Day 1! The panel of judges is wacky and I found their actions hilarious! The same goes for the Chefs and their team members who range from liars, imposters, revenge-seekers, cheaters, and much, much more! And, of all things, Figaro has a thing for the only judge who has an allergy to cats! Of course, somewhere in the midst of all this craziness is a killer who’s cleverly concealing themself from everyone involved.

This reader savored every word on every page of “Restaurant Weeks Are Murder” and give this story and the previous two stories in the Poppy McAllister series my highest recommendation—A must read for all cozy fans! The author includes recipes for readers to try at the end of the book.

I reviewed an advanced galley from Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Poppy McAllister is so excited. Her ex, Tim and his partner Gigi are representing his restaurant in the upcoming Restaurant Week Challenge for a local television station, think Chopped, but crazier :), and Tim as asked her to be their pastry chef. It will be tough spending that much time with Gigi, but cooking in a professional kitchen and showing her talents with desserts has been her dream, so she quickly accepts.

The “Challenge” is not creating awesome appetizers, entrees, and desserts from the crazy basket ingredients, it is making it through the week. Less Chopped – More Survivor. Pranks like the labels being switched on ingredients escalates to machinery malfunctions including an exploding deep fryer, to one of the judges being poisoned. The chaos in the kitchen is getting out of control so Poppy does it again. She starts her own investigation. If she isn’t careful she may find herself cooking her very last dessert and chopped down before any of her dreams come true.

I have loved these characters since book 1, Class Reunions are Murder. Aunt Ginny always has me laughing out loud. This time her antics were a little tamer but they still cracked me up. Poppy is growing stronger. Her confidence is shaky at first but she gets some nice feedback that by the end helps her to really move forward. I am excited about the opening of her B&B because I think she will really shine, depending of course what kind of obstacles Aunt Ginny throws in her path. I loved every scene when Poppy and Gia were together. I could feel the heat right through the pages. Don’t worry the author keeps it cozy and G-rated. I can’t forget Figaro, that naughty, naughty, kitty. A cat with a mission and he was hilarious.

As a huge fan of Chopped, I really enjoy the Restaurant Week challenge with its own little twist of a points system. The themed baskets and what the chefs did with them was fun even with all the struggles they had along the way. The author shares some of the recipes at the end of the story.

The mystery was very developed. Secrets, grudges, innuendo, revenge, all play into this captivating whodunit. With plenty of suspects, the author set a blazing pace with the twists. The last one almost gave me whiplash. The ending was edge of my seat exciting. I was totally surprised.

Ms. Klein has found the perfect recipe for a marvelous cozy mystery. Wonderful characters mixed in a sensational story with a dash a romance and sprinkled liberally with humor. A delectable treat for every cozy lover.

This is an extraordinary series and while each can stand on its own, they are best read in order for maximum enjoyment.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy McAllister is thrilled to be helping Tim during the Restaurant Week cooking competition as the third member of his team. While their relationship is complicated, she knows they can work well together. The weeks gets off to a shaky start when there is a problem with the hotel where the judges were going to stay, and Poppy volunteers the not quite open yet bed and breakfast she is working on with her aunt. Then, on the first day of the competition, someone sabotages the ingredients. As things spiral out of control, Tim and Poppy find themselves at the center of it all. Can Poppy figure out what is happening?

Fans of this series will be thrilled with the latest outing for Poppy and the rest of the crew. Yes, everyone is here and causing mayhem and laughs for us like normal. I did sympathize more with the victim of Figueroa’s antics since I allergic to cats as well, but I still found that subplot fun. As usual, Aunt Ginny and her friends steal the show. I do feel the pacing of the mystery could have been better, but this is something I’ve felt with all three books in the series. We definitely did get a good mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. There are seven Paleo friendly recipes at the back of the book to enjoy once you’ve finished the book.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to have finally read RESTAURANT WEEKS ARE MURDER. The first two books in this series, CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER, and MIDNIGHT SNACKS ARE MURDER are among my very favorite reads. Author Libby Klein truly has the gift for transporting readers into her stories as though we are living them ourselves.

Wonderfully written with a plot that not only grabbed, but held my attention, there is so much going on in RESTAURANT WEEKS ARE MURDER that it made it impossible to put this book down. Everything that makes for a great mystery is covered. Murder, mayhem, sabotage, deceit. Protagonist Poppy is hit with it all and more! I had no clue whatsoever who the who of this whodunit was until it was revealed.

And, I dare anyone to read a Poppy McAllister book and not laugh. It simply can’t be done. Author Klein herself has a wicked sense of humor to be able to produce the tears in the eyes, snorts she gets out of me. I have two words for you. Aunt Ginny! Prepare yourselves. 😉

Last but in no way least, Klein includes wonderful recipes! Poppy has to eat gluten free because of health issues, so creating delicious Paleo treats is her thing.

Honestly, if you haven’t read the Poppy McAllister Mysteries, you’re missing out. You can read RESTAURANT WEEKS ARE MURDER as a standalone but grab up all three books in the series and prepare for some of the most enjoyable reading you have ever had!

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release Date February 26, 2019
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

I just adore this series! Poppy is such a fun character with a sparkling personality and sense of humor. Not only am I devouring the mystery but I am laughing at the things she thinks and says. Another thing that makes this series is Poppy's great aunt Ginny. She reminds me of Grandma Mazur from the Stephanie Plum series- she's silly, quirky, and downright hilarious! Overall, I think this is one of the best cozy series around (I place it in my top 5 favorite cozy series of all time), and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the genre.

In this installment, Poppy is taking part in Restaurant Week which is a cooking competition. Poppy is working with her ex fiance Tim and things seem to be going splendidly. That is until one of the judges drops dead from being poisoned. One would think this is the worst thing that could happen at this televised event, and in all reality it is. But other "pranks" are causing some to come close to their final moments as well, and Poppy will stop at nothing to figure out who is behind it all.

For those who enjoy cozy mysteries with flair, this is the series for you! As I mentioned before, I absolutely love this series and am always looking forward to the next installment. I just can't wait to see what kind of trouble Poppy and her crew come in contact next! - Highly recommended.

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery set in South New Jersey in Cape May. I don't live to far from there so it's nice to have a place like that be the setting. I also really liked Poppy McAllister, one of the MCs in the book. She is working to open a B&B with her aunt and her orange cat. In this story, she is working with her high-school sweetheart and ex-fiancé Tim in a Chef competition. Her other love interest, Gia, also turns up there to help his mother in the kitchen when her sous chef gets caught on fire in one of the sabotages.

The characters feel real, the drama and killings were well done, and there were enough red herrings to please any cozy mystery buff. Great story.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be the funniest in this series yet! Despite the murders or any attempts at murder, there is still always plenty to laugh at. Aunt Ginny is such a hoot when she decides to wear one of her what seems like endless crazy outfits. This time I couldn't stop laughing at Figaro, that little stinker cat! He just seemed to know that someone was allergic to him and kept mysteriously showing up in their room. I loved how he drew Poppy into his mischief too! He did something fairly important later on in the book--won't spoil that, but it was pretty cool.

When one of the judges for the Restaurant Week competition was murdered, Poppy worried that she'd be in jail before the day was over, since it was her dessert that the judge was eating. Not to mention the headache of having to work alongside Gigi, a chef who had her own restaurant but was a little too cozy with Tim, Poppy's ex-boyfriend that she herself seemed to be getting closer with. All the chefs had some sort of secret, so there was no shortage of suspects in the murder, sabotages and attempted murders that followed. In the end, Poppy overcame her quandary about whether Tim or Gia would be the guy she chose, but there was still a tiny little issue which I won't mention, since I don't want to spoil it.

I had guessed the killer randomly, but I had no idea of the reasoning and the story behind their why. The showdown was pretty awesome showing once more that a good chef can even handle a killer if the right equipment is available! I am more anxious than ever for the next book because of how this one ended. It's not really a cliffhanger, since the murder was solved. Just read it and see if you agree!

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Restaurant Weeks Are Murder
A Poppy McAllister Mystery, Book #3
Libby Klein
5 Stars


Synopsis:

Poppy McAllister is happy about opening a Jersey Shore B&B--but working in a professional kitchen has always been her real dream. Now it's coming true, at least briefly, as she teams up with her former fiancee, Tim--and his condescending partner, Gigi--during the high-profile Restaurant Week challenge. Poppy's specialty is pastries, despite her devotion to a Paleo diet. But if anyone can make glorious gluten-free goodies, it's Poppy.

Things get heated quickly--especially when some ingredients get switched and Tim's accused of sabotage. Relatively harmless pranks soon escalate into real hazards, including an exploding deep fryer. And now one of the judges has died after taking a bite of Poppy's cannoli--making her the chef suspect . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy's Kitchen! (Goodreads)

Review:

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and she pulled me right into the story from the very beginning. Whether at the Restaurant Weeks challenges or back at the Bed and Breakfast, the story remained interesting and exciting.

Poppy gives her all no matter what she is doing and she likes to help people if she can, even her ex-fiance. She also seems to be a dead body magnet, much to her dismay. She will have her hands full trying to solve this murder, but she will give it her all, before the murder is pinned on her.

The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. Poppy’s family and friends are funny and unpredictable and you never no what they are going to do next, which is great as a reader, but not so great for Poppy. Figaro, Poppy’s cat, is one of my favorite animals in a cozy, I just laugh whenever I am reading about him.

The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. The murder did not happen until about 40% into the book but that was okay because I was enjoying all of the other things that were happening.

I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. If you like food cozies, this is a must read. I felt like I was watching an episode of Chopped as I was reading this book, which was a very good thing.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously love this series...I don't know what it is about the characters or the setting (maybe it is the recipes), but I can't wait to read these books as they are released!

Poppy is an engaging protagonist.  A mistake in her youth altered her future but she seems to be doing ok trying to get a B&B off the ground, baking gluten-free items for a coffee shop, and solving the murders that happen in her town.  It doesn't hurt that she has two potential love interests - Gia, the owner of the coffee shop and a hot Italian and Tim, her college sweetheart who owns a local restaurant.  I am team Gia - just putting that out there - because, while Tim wants to be with Poppy, he lets himself get distracted by GiGi and other women.  Anyway, you can make your own decision on which team to belong.

I love to cook (which may be why this series appeals to me) and this one brings together cooking with reality TV.  Poppy teams up with Tim and Gigi to represent Tim's restaurant in a cooking competition.  Gigi is not likable and she gets her due many times throughout the book.  I think my favorite is when the network decides that anyone on the team must cook one of the courses.  This infuriates Gigi because she doesn't think Poppy is a chef because she didn't attend culinary school.  Gigi is in for a rude awakening because not all great cooks have attended cooking school and Poppy knows her way around a kitchen which is more than can be said for Gigi.  As is to be expected, there is murder during the show and Poppy has to figure out the killer before she becomes the next victim.  I really tried to decipher the clues but I did not do a good job because I was quite surprised to learn who the murderer was and the reasoning behind the death(s).  

There is a cast of quirky characters that liven up the storyline and of course, we can't forget Aunt Ginny and her antics along with the rest of her Senior friends.  She knows how to liven up this book with her shenanigans.

We give this 5 paws up and suggest reading the whole series starting with the first book so you can understand the back story.

[Jaymie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exceptional book in this series! I love the humor in this and the primary characters. The mystery was terrific - lots of viable suspects. I couldn't even come up with a guess for where things were going because each one felt possible. I had high hopes that the love triangle would finally be resolved in this book, but sadly, it was not. It's my only "complaint" about the series. Poppy's choice seems clear to me! Book 4 releases later this month.

[PugMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Restaurant Weeks Are Murder is like getting a Food Network episode along with reality show with some snippets of Bad Kitty thrown in for good measure!
Poppy, Aunt Ginny and Figaro are once again up to their eyeballs in Paleo treats, naughty cat hi-jinks, and murder! In this book, stakes are high when Poppy tries to help her old flame, Chef Tim, in a cooking competition. Not only is there sabotage on the set with some innocent (and some downright deadly) pranks but something on the menu ends up being fatal. This well planned mystery is fast paced with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end! The author generously includes some mouth watering recipes! This is a must read for fans of cooking competitions or just fun, engaging cozy mysteries!
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!

[William Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd book in this series about vhefs and food and contest. good cast of characters and a very twisty plot. Look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Move over all the cookery shows - Restaurant Weeks are here and Poppy is the chef, a pastry chef and this is her moment to shine!!

Years ago, she had left the culinary school and now she was called by teenage love Tim to participate in the week long show. And as the psychic in the previous book had predicted - deadbodies follow Poppy and a judge was found slumped in the chair, dead!! Poppy was asked to investigate along with her aunt Ginny and friend Sawyer.

My third book by Libby Klein, I was on a roll. This book was done in pure Masterchef style with mystery baskets and different ingredients each day along with the rivalry and politics and some sabotaging. Triple the fun... I am not a foodie, but I definitely love watching...now reading...about the books written with the cooking show flair...

Libby's trademark style of writing was well evident with humor provided by Aunt Ginny and her friends and cat Figaro, and tinge of romance provided by Tim and Gia... Both liked Poppy. And why not, Poppy was likable, she was gutsy and bold and overall nice. And I loved the support she garnered, the studio audience were all there only for her, basically aunt Ginny and her friends. And yes... There was betting too. Mostly in her favor

And you bet, there were my niggles too, murder occurred at 36% and Poppy's investigation started much later. I was pretty much done with the romance triangle. It was no longer cute. Poppy should select one and get on.

Overall, this book kept me great company during my flu. A good diversion and an enjoyable read.

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

IS IT MY IMAGINATION, OR DO LIBBY KLEIN'S BOOKS IN THIS SERIES CONTINUE TO GET BETTER AND BETTER?!?

My journey with this series has been what one can only call an up and down experience. To be completely honest, I did not like book one at all. It took way too long for the murder to actually happen, and that annoyed me, and then the reveal itself annoyed me too. I also found book one to annoy me alot because there was a lot of discussion about dieting, which is just something that I'm not a fan of reading. But a friend once told me “if you don't enjoy book one in a cosy mystery series, at least give book #2 a Go”. I am so glad she did.
Because I really, truly enjoyed book #2. I got to know their Silver Sleuth biddies a whole lot better and really enjoyed them. I also got to enjoy the fact that there were two mysteries in the second book.
I ultimately ended up giving book 1, 3 stars and book 2, 4 stars. Now I find myself faced with the challenge of having to write book #3. And honestly, I cannot give this book any less than five stars.
So what does this say for the series overall? Put purely and simply, it has grown on me. To elaborate a little further. This series has only escalated for me the further along I've gone along.
So let's quickly chat about this book book #3 in the Poppy McAllister series.
The main cosy side of this plot is that we follow Poppy while she is assisting Chef Tim in a week long restaurant cooking competition. I must admit that I am quite partial to culinary cosies. So therefore this book was already off to a flying start once I found out that this was the premise. Once again I found myself in a situation with Libby Klein where the murder did not take place for quite some time. [till the end of Chapter 15]. However, this time I wasn't really complaining so much about not seeing the murder. I think I was more just intrigued to know why it was taking so long, but I was still enjoying the actual plot.
Another thing that defies the odds for me with this series. Is that our protagonist is in a love triangle, something that I really don't like normally, but in this one I can definitely handle it. I think the reason for this is because we are not laser focused on the love triangle. The love triangle itself seems to be rather secondary to the actual plot.
Now let's talk about the one thing that seems to be make or break for me when it comes to a lot of cosy mysteries, the reveal.
I…LOVED The reveal!
It took me a moment to work out who the actual killer was once the reveal has happened, but once I worked out who they were, Oh my gosh, I was so happy.
Olin all. There is not a lot that I can say about this book and keep it spoiler free because it is the third book in the series, But I do have to say that Libby Klein has absolutely grown on me as an author. I loved this book, I love this series, and I cannot wait to read book #4.
5 Stars from me!
xoxo.

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Be on my team for the cooking competition, he said. It will be fun, he said…
Restaurant Weeks Are Murder by Libby Klein combines this splendid mystery with real to life character that stole my heart.

This book is the first that I have read by Libby Klein and I can’t wait to try some of the recipes that she included in the book. I adored the way that she described people. Here is an example:

He leads us up to a very dignified chef, who reminded me a little of Sam the Eagle from the Muppets, with his bushy eyebrows and tufts of gray hair over a serious expression.

Poppy McAllister
Our sleuth is Poppy McAllister. She is living with her 80-year-old Aunt Ginny, whose house they have turned into bed and breakfast. Poppy has gone on a Paleo diet and has lost some weight. She is feeling really good about herself. I think she should be; Poppy is reliable and compassionate. She has also turned into one of the trouble magnets; you know the ones that find dead bodies or are present when people are murdered.

Poppy is also in a love triangle at the moment, and she doesn’t seem to know which way to go or whom to choose. Let’s say that both guys are hot and they want her undivided attention.
What I like about Poppy

Poppy is a brilliant baker, and she creates these fabulous gluten-free desserts. Yum!
She is polite nice even when her inner voice is telling her not to be. OK, most of the time she is nice.
Poppy treats her Aunt Ginny with respect and tolerates Ginny amusing fashion outfits and attitude.
She has the cutest little cat Figaro, who is a naughty little sneak.  Poppy doesn’t hold it against him.
Poppy is trying to better herself and be the best that she can be. I adore her attitude.

What I didn’t like about Poppy

That she wore that yellow apron when she could have just gotten another one herself.
Poppy allowed Gigi to make her feel bad, all the while knowing that she was just as good as Gigi.  

The Mystery
What a crazy mystery with suspects galore. I honestly didn’t figure out who the murder was or the motive until Poppy stumbled upon it herself. The restaurant business is crazy, or was that just the Jersey shore? No seriously, there were so many things going on, and it was so entertaining. I loved the accents, the outfits, whole Chopped-like cooking competition.

Well done, Ms. Klein.
My favorite character
Let me tell you there were lots of characters; they are funny, snarky, quirky, rebellious, and sweet ones. But, my favorite is Aunt Ginny. She is dynamic, fresh, witty and outrageous. Aunt Ginny has lost her filter, and the things that come out of her mouth are hilarious. Ginny and her senior friends just go and do what they want.

One of the best things about Ginny were the outfits that she would show up in; here is one of them:

Aunt Ginny was dressed in marine-blue harem pants and a matching gauzy long-sleeved to bejeweled with aqua sequence and tiny gold bells. There were gold bedroom slippers on her feet.

5 Stars for Restaurant Weeks Are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating for Restaurant Weeks Are Murder by Libby Klein is five stars. Once, I started this one I just couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was happening to Poppy next. Although, I haven’t read the first two books in this series, I have added them to my TBR (yes, it is huge, but that is OK).

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a marvelous mystery with laugh out loud characters and their antics.


Other Books in the Series
Class Reunions Are Murder
by Libby Klein
Series: A Poppy McAllister Mystery #1
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation on January 30, 2018
Genres: Mystery, Cozy
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback 
Buy on Amazon  
 
  

For fortysomething Poppy McAllister, taking a stroll down memory lane in Cape May, New Jersey, isn’t just awkward—it’s deadly.

Newly widowed and stuck in a middle-aged funk, Poppy has been running on cookies, infomercials, and one-sided chats with her cat for months. There’s no way on earth she’s attending her twenty-five-year class reunion—especially after receiving a very bizarre letter from Barbie, the popular cheerleader who taunted her all through high school. At least, not until Poppy’s best friend practically drags her to the event . . .

Using the dreaded homecoming as an excuse to visit her eccentric Aunt Ginny, Poppy vows to leave Cape May with pride and Spanx intact. Too bad Barbie is still the queen of mean at the reunion. And worse, that her dead body is lying right in front of Poppy’s old locker. Singled out as the killer, it’s up to Poppy to confront her past and clear her name. But between protecting her aunt from disaster and tackling a gluten-free diet, can Poppy crack the case before she’s voted “Most Likely to Die” by the murderer?

Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!

Midnight Snacks Are Murder
by Libby Klein
Series: A Poppy McAllister Mystery #2
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation on July 31, 2018
Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Paranormal 
Pages: 371
Format: Paperback 
Buy on Amazon  
 
  

When her sleepwalking aunt is accused of committing murder, Poppy McAllister finds out there's no rest for the weary . . .

Between trying to get her gluten-free baking business off the ground and helping her aunt remodel her old Victorian into the Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey, Poppy is ready to call, “Mayday!” And now Aunt Ginny—who's a handful wide-awake—is sleepwalking on her new sleeping pill prescription and helping herself to neighbors’ snacks and knickknacks.

Even more alarming, a local humanitarian who worked with troubled teens is found murdered, and the police suspect the “Snack Bandit.” Other than a bad case of midnight munchies and some mild knickknack kleptomania, Aunt Ginny is harmless. Someone’s trying to frame her. Poppy will need to work tirelessly to uncover the killer and put the case to rest—before Aunt Ginny has to trade in her B & B for a bunk bed behind bars . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!

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Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Restaurant Weeks Are Murder by Libby Klein. Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win (3) Print Copy - Restaurant Weeks Are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery) by Libby Klein.

And you will want to check out the recipes in the back of the book. 

Until the next time,



Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby Klein scores again with another laugh out loud mystery. Love the colorful characters and the mystery was fantastic. Didn't see the ending coming. Fantastic read. You won't want to put it down.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This humorous and relaxing book is the third one of the Poppy McAllister series. The B&B. Is ready to open and Poppy will host the judges another personal need for the competition. The opening paragraph will have you laughing and smiling which will be with you throughout the book. Tim, her high school finance has her to be his Pastry Chef and Poppy was honored to accept. Figaro is in his element doing what many cats do to those who don't like them. Aunt Ginny and Gigi added humor. Gia and Tim are both courting Poppy.
Things go wrong the first day of the competition and throughout the competition until it ends with a murder. Poppy's high school .enemie, police officer, Amber is the lead in the MURDER investigation. Poppy needs an answer to clear Tim's name. Who will Poppy choose as her man? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
Seven recipes from Poppy'Kitchen are included.

Disclosure: Thanks to Kensington Books through NetGalley for a copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy McAllister agreed to be on a team of chefs for a South NJ reality show...of course the team she is on is headed by her high school crush. Then there's her current beau intent on keeping her occupied. That's when things really start to go crazy. The cooking show is sabotaged and eventually, a death. This book is full of delightful characters and an enjoyable mystery! Two thumbs up! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy, Aunt Ginny and friends are at it again - this time shenanigans are afoot during the local cooking contest being held in Cape May! During the competition, Poppy is serving as pastry chef, alongside Tim and Gigi, with no shortness of drama caused by Gigi's seemingly obnoxious attraction to Tim and refusal to be civil to Poppy. Mama is also in the competition believing she is only going to cook her regular italian cuisine. When her assistant is hurt during one of the daily competitions, Gia joins her side and the competition heats up in the kitchen! There is no shortness of activity and craziness afoot in he kitchen between our teams and when you add in a panel of celebrity judges and murder, nothing is as it seems and everyone is a suspect!

I love a great cooking competition and the great array of fun recipes developed during the competition are also highlighted by the author (listed in the book so you can play along in your own kitchen - just don't burn the house down!) You will never experience a cooking competition the same once you finish this book - filled with great and funny characters, great plot lines and a little bit of love and romance - you don't want to miss this latest mystery in the series!

[Carole Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at The Power of Words: https://bit.ly/2SDyUOx

The dynamic duo of Poppy McAllister and her Aunt Ginny return in the wholly entertaining Restaurant Weeks Are Murder. Filled with sparkling humor and rich characterization, this story captured my interest from the first and moves at a steady pace throughout. From Paleo diet to the most exquisite culinary delights, Poppy’s creative genius shines. My favorite feline buddy, Figaro, is also very much present, with his cute antics and effective methods for expressing disdain to those who might not care for him.

Every story in this series has been excellent so far, even though I’m not usually a fan of food-themed mysteries. The restaurant-week competition is fascinating, as each team member is given a mystery basket containing three ingredients and has to create a dish using all of them. A competitive spirit abounds, for success equates with financial gain for their restaurants. From contestants to judges, the characters are interesting and quirky, many with egos a mile high.

The mystery plot itself is well crafted and not easy to solve, at least for me. But my favorite part of this story is its humor. In fact, I wish I could meet the author, because she would certainly bring much joy and laughter into my life. Romance isn’t a major theme, but the love triangle between Poppy, Gia, and former fiancée Tim continues. I hope this resolves itself soon, because I don’t enjoy triangles, but this is no way lessens my enjoyment of this series.

Within the cozy mystery genre, 5 stars. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book in the series by Libby Klein is an excellent, whitty read. It was full of edge of your seat moments. The characters were well written (including the ones you loved to hate) and the plot was entertaining. I was guessing who the murderer was clesr up to the reveal!

I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining, humorous, and plenty of suspicious activity! I love Poppy and Aunt Ginny, Tim, Gia, Sawyer, and the seniors. I love how each character has a distinct personality and how they all play a part in solving the mystery. Can't wait for the next book in this series!

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

More books should have this wonderful combination of wit, humor, mystery, and just plain fun. Self-taught cook and baker Poppy Montgomery is excited to be part of a team with her ex, Tim, and fellow chef, Gigi, for the first Restaurant Week competition in Cape May, New Jersey. Even if Gigi is abrasive and insulting and trying to win Tim's affections away from Poppy. But her excitement starts to fade one the first day when everything that could go wrong starts going wrong. Lodging accommodations fall through, pantry ingredients are switched around and mislabeled, Poppy's feisty feline won't stay away from a very allergic beauty queen, and then one of the contest judges drops dead on set. Poppy finds herself under investigation once again and the heat in all of the contestants' kitchens is beginning to be unbearable.

It took more than half of the book for me to pin down my suspicious and identify a probable killer, but I was wrong in the end. Even so, Libby Klein kept me guessing and thoroughly engaged on every page--this book is a must-read for mystery fans!

[Jules Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better! It always has me chuckling. I love all of the characters and can’t wait to continue this adventure with them.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the Poppy McAllister Mystery series with the first book and love it more with each novel I read. Restaurant Weeks Are Murder is the best of a fantastic series! The great characters feel like people I know and the plot offers many reasonable possibilities but no easy answer. The humor ranges from witty to silly and is always fun. It is the strength of our protagonist that calls to me most. Poppy is very human with health and emotional issues and a temper that she really tries to control. She has recently discovered that many of her physical issues come from the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's which is similar to celiac disease and can lead to the more common disease, so she is a baker who loves food and is gluten intolerant. I know a lot of people who can relate to that problem! She is willing to work hard to take care of her aunt who raised her, and loves the Chaos Queen in spite of the trouble Aunt Ginny causes. I am not sure how she manages to stay so kind to some people but kindness and loyalty are two of the keys tenets that she lives by. In spite of her great character, she is a strong multidimensional person who is sure to hold this series at the top for a long time.
The only thing I do not love is that here is a tradition love triangle. I like both guys but do not like that she is pulled between them. Of course for a person who has not been all that popular, she kind of likes the attention from two hot men and I can't blame her for that. After living her teen years with the weight problems and breakouts that come with the disease, she eats up the attention of those two pretty great guys.
Thanks to NetGalley of provided the ARC for Restaurant Weeks Are Murder, I am already sharing my excitement with my friends. #NetGalley #RestaurantWeeksAreMurder.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Restaurant Weeks are Murder by Libby Klein is the 3rd book in A Poppy McAllister Mystery, and another fun addition. Poppy is excited about working with her former fiance Tim in a real kitchen during the Restaurant Week Contest, unfortunately she also has to work with Gigi on their team too. The contest is not going smoothly, someone is changing ingredients, and sabotaging equipment, when one judge dies while tasting Poppy dessert, she is determined to find the real killer. Not only is this book laugh out loud funny, it a great mystery too. There are twists and turns around every corner. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. If you love fun cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book/series. 

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

RESTAURANT WEEKS ARE MURDER, the third book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein, is another laugh out loud, can’t put down read! Ms. Klein continues to create and develop characters that are entertainingly funny with plenty of witty dialog to tickle the funny bone. Her use of clever similes brings each scene to life. Protagonist Poppy McAllister is smart yet a bit self-deprecating. I’ve appreciated her internal growth over the course of the series and this book is no exception. Poppy has learned to “manage” her feisty, always getting into trouble Aunt Ginny while she’s almost given up on trying to corral her always getting into trouble cat, Figaro. Between Aunt Ginny (who is a hoot) and Figaro, Ms. Klein has plenty of opportunities to insert even more humor.

I greatly enjoyed the theme of the book: a week-long cooking competition very similar to the Food Network program Chopped where the participating chefs must create a dish using strange mystery ingredients. I’ve always liked these types of television programs and reading about Poppy’s participation in such a competition was highly entertaining. The combination of cut-throat competitors, sabotaged ingredients plus kitchen equipment, and a murder victim create plenty of suspense and mystery for Poppy to solve. Are the crimes connected or are there multiple people out for revenge? Ms. Klein writes a tight plot that kept me turning pages late into the night until I finished the very last page.

Poppy is an accomplished pastry chef, specializing in paleo desserts and treats. I love that Ms. Klein provides several paleo recipes at the back of the book, all which sound mouthwatering!

I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Protagonist, Poppy McAllister is a pastry chef who lives in Cape May, NJ, with her mischievous cat, Figuro, and her elderly Aunt Ginny. This installment begins as Poppy agrees to be the pastry chef on her ex-fiance’s (Tim) team for a televised Restaurant Week Competition. Author Libby Klein’s humor kept me snickering throughout the entire story as the competition is plagued by saboteurs. The panel of judges are comical and the same goes for the Chefs and their team members who range from liars, imposters, revenge-seekers, cheaters, etc. Figaro stalks the only judge who has an allergy to cats (having owned cats all my life I could just see him doing this). Somewhere in this tangle of secrets and craziness is a killer who’s cleverly concealing themselves from everyone involved.

Poppy is such a fun character with a sparkling personality and a real sense of humor. Not only am I engrossed in the mystery but I am smiling at the things she thinks and says. Another character that really makes this series entertaining is Poppy's great aunt Ginny, she's silly, quirky, and downright hilarious. I found the mystery was well written and paced with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing to the end. I look forward the the next installment and finding out which man, Tim or Gia, will claim her heart.

I thought that this was book one for me in the Poppy McAllister Mysteries but I must of read Midnight Snacks are Murder book (2) as a Library book. (I remember Aunt Ginny sleep-walking) But I did just buy both 1 and 2 in kindle version as I enjoyed this one so much.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy mystery friends.

I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with an advance copy.